Running And Walking To Fight A Killer

A group is trying to get as many people as it can to run or walk for a cure for pancreatic cancer tomorrow (Saturday) morning.

Indianapolis is hosting one of the many Purple Stride events across the country, Purple being the color adopted by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. there is a 5-K run, and volunteer Deana Potterf will be part of the 1-K walk. "I lost my father to pancreatic cancer in 2007, and sadly there's only a six-percent five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer," Potterf said.

One reason for the low survival rate is that pancreatic cancer typically has no symptoms in its early stages. "It's known as the silent killer for a reason. There aren't many warning signs there before it spreads, and it becomes very difficult at that point," said Potterf. "Our goal is to double the survival rate by 2020. Six-percent isn't very high, but if we could double that in six years, we think that's a pretty good goal."

The Purple Stride takes place at IUPUI's Wood Fountain Plaza, and there will be children's activities and live entertainment in addition to the run/walk. Registration begins at 7:00am Saturday, with the run/walk scheduled to start at 8:30am.